EU Set to Begin Accession Talks with Ukraine, Moldova

On 14 December 2023, the European Union agreed to open entry negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

Provided certain reforms are implemented, accession talks may also be launched with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia should obtain a candidate status.

The European Parliament backed the countries’ bids to join the EU but opposed a fast-track application. Official and potential candidates must fulfill the Copenhagen criteria and align their political, economic, and legal systems with those of the EU – i.e., to prove their ongoing commitment to democracy and rule of law, respect for minorities and human rights, and improve the functioning of their economies, MEPs said.

According to the Parliament, the EU should set a clear deadline for the candidate countries in order to complete EU entry negotiations by the end of this decade.

Source: schengenvisainfo.com.